Football legend meets hospital families

NEW SIGNING. Former England international and Aston Villa footballer Martin Keown signs a shirt for grateful fan Dan Johal during a visit to Ronald McDonald House Birmingham on Monday (3 November 2014).

The footballer-turned-television pundit met young fans, signed autographs and spoke to parents who are staying at Ronald McDonald House Birmingham – the free ‘home away from home’ accommodation for families who have children being treated at Birmingham Children’s Hospital.

Martin Keown says: “Ronald McDonald House Birmingham is a special place and a real home away from home. It was wonderful to meet some of the people who are staying at the House and also to meet the staff who work tirelessly to provide and maintain this special place.”

The visit was arranged by Douglas Wright – a McDonald’s franchisee who has supported the House for many years.

Notes to Editors

Photography credit: Kay Hodgetts

To speak to someone or for more pictures please contact Alex Goldup

Ronald McDonald House Birmingham is run by Ronald McDonald House Charities - an independent charity that provides free ‘home away from home’ accommodation at hospitals across the UK. It enables seriously ill children to have their families close by when they are undergoing treatment and allows them to maintain a degree of normal family life.

There are 14 Ronald McDonald Houses in the UK and in 2013 they helped support over 7,000 families with children in hospital.

Ronald McDonald House Charities relies on the generosity of supporters and fundraisers, including McDonald’s customers, without whom it would be unable to continue its work. The Charity was founded in 1989 and in 2014 proudly celebrates 25 years of keeping families together.